The Master of Arts (M.A.) in History degree program is designed for students who wish to develop their skills in analyzing and interpreting historical events and interrelational developments in diverse areas of the world. Students may be secondary school teachers, college graduates preparing for a career in college teaching, or professionals from outside the academic world who value the intellectual challenge afforded by the serious study of history.

Admission Requirements

August 1 is the fall deadline to apply to the M.A. in History program. Application for the spring semester is January 1. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the Department of History and Non-Western Cultures.

Requirements include:

An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7. The GPA in history courses should be at least 3.0. An applicant with an
undergraduate degree and GPA below 3.0 may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores and an explanation of relevant circumstances to support their application.

The following materials must be submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies:
–– A completed graduate admission application form and fee.
–– Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees.
–– A statement of purpose, two to four pages, typed and double-spaced. The statement should describe the
applicant’s relevant past experience, academic and career goals and interest in the M.A. in History program.
–– Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can effectively assess the applicant’s general academic potential.
–– Acceptance by the Department of History and Non-Western Cultures.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of thirty (30) semester hour credits is required for the M.A. in History. The standard course requirements are:

History 490 (Undergraduate Senior Seminar) three (3) semester hours

Twelve (12) semester hours, or four courses in the student’s major theme (see below)

Six (6) semester hours, or two courses in the student’s minor theme (see below)

Nine (9) semester hours, or three elective courses in any theme.

Acceptable Variations:

If the student can demonstrate completion of a substantial undergraduate history research paper (minimum 20 pages of text, excluding endnotes), the history 490 requirement will be waived. Another elective class must be taken in its place.

Students choosing to do a master’s thesis must complete the six (6) semester-hour thesis course (HIS 592) instead of two elective courses.

With the graduate coordinator’s approval, students may take a maximum of six (6) semester hours in 500 level courses in allied fields (such as English or education) or in 400 level history courses.

Master of Arts in History

The student will concentrate on one theme, completing a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours. All candidates for the M.A. in History degree are required to take a written comprehensive examination in the major theme. To be eligible to take the comprehensive examination, all course work must be completed prior to or
within the semester in which the comprehensive is taken. The average must be “B” or better. Students should
contact the graduate coordinator to schedule the comprehensive examination.

Students must complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours in a theme other than their major theme.
Courses offered include, but are not limited to, the following:

Theme I: Revolution

HIS 510

Fascism: Revolution of Counter Revolution

3 SH

HIS 511

The Communist Revolution and the Soviet Union

3 SH

HIS 515

The French Revolution

3 SH

HIS 516

The American Revolution

3 SH

HIS 541

Conflict in the Modern Middle East

3 SH

Theme II: International Relations

HIS 520

Origins of World War I, or

3 SH

HIS 521

Origins of World War II

3 SH

HIS 528

World War II

3 SH

HIS 534

Islam in International Affairs

3 SH

HIS 541t

Conflict in the Modern Middle Eas

3 SH

Theme III: American History

HIS 505

New York City: Its History and Culture

3 SH

HIS 506

Readings in American History to 1877

3 SH

HIS 507

Readings in American History Since 1877

3 SH

HIS 516

The American Revolution

3 SH

HIS 535

African-American History & Culture

3 SH

HIS 537

America in the Sixties

3 SH

HIS 539

America in the 1950s

3 SH

HIS 556

Colonial North America

3 SH

HIS 557

The Early American Republic

3 SH

HIS 558

History of the American South

3 SH

Theme IV: European History

HIS 501

Development of Western Thought

3 SH

HIS 508

Readings in European History to 1500

3 SH

HIS 509

Readings in European History since 1500

3 SH

HIS 510

Fascism: Revolution or Counterrevolution

3 SH

HIS 515

The French Revolution

3 SH

HIS 520

Origins of World War I

3 SH

HIS 521

Origins of World War II

3 SH

Theme V: Non-Western History

HIS 534

Islam in International Affairs

3 SH

HIS 540

Islamic Intellectual History

3 SH

HIS 541

Conflict in the Modern Middle East

3 SH

HIS 570

Chinese Thought and Religion

3 SH

HIS 571

China in the Twentieth Century

3 SH

Consult the graduate program coordinator for appropriate course selections.